Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

Alastair R Turnbull
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Burns Banter - A fresh look at Robert Burns

Did you know that Robert Burns was the first person to feature on a Coca Cola bottle? Or that a book of his poems has orbited the earth 217 times? And he NEVER signed his name as Rabbie? This is a modern and light hearted look at the life and works of Robert Burns; poems explained; myths busted; songs sung and stories told. Listen, laugh, and maybe even learn something new with Alastair Turnbull and guests.

  1. AUG 9

    Burns Banter S2 Ep8 - Touring around Scotland

    Send us a textIt is 1787, Robert Burns has published the second edition of his poems, now known as 'The Edinburgh Edition'. He has sold the rights to all of his poems to William Creech and he needs to write some more....What does he do?He goes on tour around Scotland to get inspiration for new poems and songs. He also wants to introduce himself to the great and good people of Scotland. The Dukes and Duchesses, the captains of industry and the just plain wealthy. He does this as he wants them ...

    44 min

  2. JUL 29

    Burns Banter S2 Ep7 - The Edinburgh Edition

    Send us a textIn this episode I talk about Robert Burns journey to Edinburgh to produce a second volume of his book 'Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect'. I also talk about the reception he received when he arrived in Edinburgh, how he published the book, the people he met and other things he did in his time there.This is Robert at the hight of his poetical fame, meeting the great and good of Scottish society. Earning money, creating friendships, enjoying life to the full. This is the perio...

    34 min

  3. JUL 12

    Burns Banter S2 Ep6 - Burns Banter Live ! 16th - 25th Aug 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival

    Send us a textIn this Episode I talk about my up coming shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Yes, I'm taking Burns Banter to Edinburgh and will be performing upstairs in The Pear Tree. The venue is called The Counting House and the room is called The Attic. I'm on from the 16th to the 25th, (not the 24th), 10.30am till 11.30am each day. The show is called 'Burns Banter Live' and is basically an hour long episode of this podcast with extra stories, songs, quizzes and even a few jokes. Yes, ...

    16 min

  4. JUL 5

    Burns Banter S2 Ep5 - Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect - The Kilmarnock Edition

    Send us a textIn this episode we look at how, why and when Robert published his book, Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. We look at the problems he had to overcome before John Wilson agreed to publish the book. We look at the poems and songs in the book, such as, Twa Dogs, A Tale - The Cotters Saturday Night, To a mouse and Composed in August. We see how the public reaction to the book affected him and the direction his life was taking. Specifically we look at his decision not to go...

    21 min

  5. JUN 28

    Burns Banter S2 Ep4 - Mossgiel, Women and a Book

    Send us a textIn this episode we look briefly at Robert's father, William - Then a Farm called Mossgiel - Roberts turbulent private life and a book called 'Poem Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect'. This is a wild and unpredictable time in Roberts life, (roughly 1784 - 1786). His father passes away in 1784, they need to move to a new farm, Mossgiel, and as Robert is the eldest son, he is now the head of the family. This responsibility does not sit well on his shoulders and he needs a lot of help ...

    19 min

  6. JUN 21

    Burns Banter S2 Ep3 - Lochlea, Tarbolton & Irvine

    Send us a textIn this episode we see the Burns family move to a new farm, Lochlie. Is it better than Mount Oliphant? How well / badly do they do there? At this point in Roberts life he is in his late teens and is starting to try and move away from farming. He is also spreading his wings socially with country dancing lessons and the formation of the Tarbolton Bachelors Club. Robert also moves to Irvine and tries a new business venture, Flax dressing. What is flax dressing? How successful...

    25 min

  7. JUN 14

    Burns Banter S2 Ep2 - Mount Oliphant & Roberts first poems

    Send us a textIn this episode we look at Robert life from age 7. We look at his education, the schools and tutors he had. We look at the farm that Roberts Father moved the family to, (Mount Oliphant), and whether it was a good decision. We also look at Roberts health during this period of his life, which was affected by the amount of work he was doing on the farm and the food they were limited to. Then we look at Roberts first poems - what were they about? Why did he start writing?...

    18 min

  8. JUN 7

    Burns Banter S2 Ep1 - Robert Burns birth & early life

    Send us a textIn Series two of Burns Banter I am taking a look at the life of Robert Burns. Each episode will look at one part of Robert's Life - as this is episode one, I am looking at the Birth Of Robert Burns. I also take a look at William Burnes, (Robert's Father), and Agnes Broun, (Robert's Mother). where did they come from, what were they like, what influence did they have on Robert? I look briefly at what was happening in Scotland at the time - all of these aspects helped to make...

    13 min
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About

Did you know that Robert Burns was the first person to feature on a Coca Cola bottle? Or that a book of his poems has orbited the earth 217 times? And he NEVER signed his name as Rabbie? This is a modern and light hearted look at the life and works of Robert Burns; poems explained; myths busted; songs sung and stories told. Listen, laugh, and maybe even learn something new with Alastair Turnbull and guests.

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